Interested in starting to make my own Cut cards

[thegreathambino]

I want to start making cut autograph cards, but I don't know how to go about it. If anyone can give me some pointers. Like, how you design them.. what program to use (keep in mind that i'm using a mac), what paper to use, how to insert the cut, the max size the cut can be. Any advice would be appreciated



EDIT: DO YOU use 90lb paper?

 

[thegreathambino]

ttt

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

There are a lot of variables that allow each person to sort of "pick and choose" how he wants to make them. The customs I build are layered and roughly 100pt thick (approx. thickness of a patch card) but no one else really makes them that thick.

In regards to the max size that a cut can be...there is no max size, but the size would be determined solely on how large the final card/product will be. A basic ruler will tell you that a standard card is 2.5" x 3.5", so logic dictates that if you don't want to trim any of the autograph...it should be no bigger than that.

The final design program you choose really is a matter of personal preference and ability. I'm also a Mac user and use Photoshop and Illustrator primarily depending on what is needed.

I have two pieces of solid advice...
- "Do what you like, it's your collection."
- "Practice makes perfect."

 

[thegreathambino]

There are a lot of variables that allow each person to sort of "pick and choose" how he wants to make them. The customs I build are layered and roughly 100pt thick (approx. thickness of a patch card) but no one else really makes them that thick.

In regards to the max size that a cut can be...there is no max size, but the size would be determined solely on how large the final card/product will be. A basic ruler will tell you that a standard card is 2.5" x 3.5", so logic dictates that if you don't want to trim any of the autograph...it should be no bigger than that.

The final design program you choose really is a matter of personal preference and ability. I'm also a Mac user and use Photoshop and Illustrator primarily depending on what is needed.

I have two pieces of solid advice...
- "Do what you like, it's your collection."
- "Practice makes perfect."

thanks for the advice... did u buy photoshop and illustrater?? how much r they?

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

I own Adobe Creative Suite 3 (CS3) and they are currently on CS4. With a student or teacher ID you can buy it for roughly $400. This suite includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, etc...and it's really the "gold standard" in graphics program collections.

I will say this...Photoshop takes some getting used to if you have no experience with it. Go to Adobe.com and you can probably download a trial of Photoshop.

 

[thegreathambino]

I own Adobe Creative Suite 3 (CS3) and they are currently on CS4. With a student or teacher ID you can buy it for roughly $400. This suite includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, etc...and it's really the "gold standard" in graphics program collections.

I will say this...Photoshop takes some getting used to if you have no experience with it. Go to Adobe.com and you can probably download a trial of Photoshop.

thanks alot for the advice

 

[thenumberonemetfan]

I own Adobe Creative Suite 3 (CS3) and they are currently on CS4. With a student or teacher ID you can buy it for roughly $400. This suite includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, etc...and it's really the "gold standard" in graphics program collections.

I will say this...Photoshop takes some getting used to if you have no experience with it. Go to Adobe.com and you can probably download a trial of Photoshop.

thanks alot for the advice

If you dont wan to pay 400.00 ask the computer teacher if he/she could lend you the installation disk,thats what I did.

 

[thegreathambino]

I own Adobe Creative Suite 3 (CS3) and they are currently on CS4. With a student or teacher ID you can buy it for roughly $400. This suite includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, etc...and it's really the "gold standard" in graphics program collections.

I will say this...Photoshop takes some getting used to if you have no experience with it. Go to Adobe.com and you can probably download a trial of Photoshop.

thanks alot for the advice

If you dont wan to pay 400.00 ask the computer teacher if he/she could lend you the installation disk,thats what I did.

my school computer teacher?

 

[sneekc]

If you are currently enrolled in school you can go to any College Bookstore and buy the "educational version" of CS3. It is about 1/2 price from retail, or try Amazon, there is really good deals to be had on software and books to train you. If you have never used Illustrator, In Design, or Photoshop don't get discouraged. People go to school for these programs to use them efficiently and correctly. I would strongly advise you to enroll in an evening class on using the Adobe Suite Collection before investing in it.
Once you get to designing your own cards give me a shout. I can print digital and offset cards using a variety of card stocks and the same techniques card companies use to create very thick cards. I can also die cut and foil cards, although you would only want to use those techniques if you were producing a large scale print job. I do have a keen eye and the right tools to custom die cut small amounts of cards as well.

 

[thenumberonemetfan]

I own Adobe Creative Suite 3 (CS3) and they are currently on CS4. With a student or teacher ID you can buy it for roughly $400. This suite includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, etc...and it's really the "gold standard" in graphics program collections.

I will say this...Photoshop takes some getting used to if you have no experience with it. Go to Adobe.com and you can probably download a trial of Photoshop.

thanks alot for the advice

If you dont wan to pay 400.00 ask the computer teacher if he/she could lend you the installation disk,thats what I did.

my school computer teacher?

Yep